JP4696103B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and for example, relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method having a function of adjusting image forming conditions in accordance with a change with time or an environmental change.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier using an electrophotographic system forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing a uniformly charged surface of an image carrier with an exposure device. The electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed with toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a recording material such as recording paper. Then, the toner image on the recording material is heated and pressed to be fixed on the recording material to form an image.

  Each process in image formation is appropriately controlled by a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus and having an arithmetic processing unit and signal input / output.

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, when a multicolor image is formed, a high-voltage unit that applies a developing bias to the developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image and a transfer bias to the transfer charger according to the number of times of transfer of each color is provided. Is provided. Then, the control means sequentially turns on and off the high-pressure unit according to a plurality of color image formation cycles, so that a multicolor image can be formed.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a printer control mechanism of a printer that is an image forming apparatus.

  3 is a video signal, 4 is a drive circuit, 5 is a laser drive signal, 6 is a start signal, 7 is a bias control means, 8 is a bias signal for transfer and development, 18 is a video interface, 20 is a control unit, 52 Indicates a print sequence signal, and 54 indicates a printing means. Further, 55 is an actuator drive signal, 81 is a notification means, 83 is a print sequence control means, 100 is a printer control circuit, 110 is a printer controller, 120 is a printer engine, 121 is an exposure device, 122 is a high pressure unit, and 123 is a transport means. Etc.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the printer control circuit 100 is electrically connected to a printer controller 110 that performs processing of image data and the like, processing of internal information of the printer, and the like.

  At the time of image formation, a multicolor image signal is transmitted from the printer controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100, and a video signal 3 is generated from the control unit 20 provided in the printer control circuit 100 based on the image signal and output to the drive circuit 4. Is done.

  The drive circuit 4 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser, and can output a laser drive signal 5 to the exposure apparatus 121.

  The printing unit 54 connected to the control unit 20 outputs an actuator drive signal 55 such as a motor, a clutch, and a solenoid in accordance with the print sequence signal 52 and sensor information from the control unit 20. Then, the recording paper conveying means 123 and the like are operated.

  The control unit 20 outputs first and second video signals generated by multicolor image signals via the drive circuit 4 and outputs first and second electrostatic latent images to an image carrier (not shown). And an activation signal 6 is output to the bias control means 7.

  The bias control means 7 outputs a bias signal 8 to the high-voltage unit 122 used for transfer or development according to the start signal in response to the start signal, performs development of the electrostatic latent image and transfer of the recording paper, and multicolor An image can be formed.

  Further, the print sequence control means 83 connected to the control unit 20 informs the control unit 20 of a process associated with detection of open / close information of the printer door and a print sequence procedure for performing a normal print operation.

  Each information of the printer engine 120 at the time of image formation or the like is notified from a notification unit 81 connected to the control unit 20. The status is notified to the printer controller 110 as a status via the video interface 18 connecting the printer control circuit 100 and the printer controller 110.

  Next, signals of the video interface 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

  9 and 10 are diagrams showing details of the video interface signals.

  In particular, FIG. 9 shows typical signals exchanged between the printer controller 110 and the printer control circuit 100.

  Note that “/” before an abbreviation indicating a signal indicates that the signal is a negative logic signal.

  Printer power ready signal / PPRDY: A signal sent from the printer control circuit 100 to the printer controller 110, indicating that communication is possible after power is supplied to the printer device and processing such as initial setting is completed. is there.

  Controller power ready signal / CPRDY: Power is supplied to the printer controller 110. A signal indicating that communication is possible after completion of processing such as initial setting is a signal sent from the printer controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100.

  Ready signal / RDY: A signal indicating that a printing operation is enabled in response to / PRNT, which will be described later, instructing the start of printing, and is a signal sent from the printer control circuit 100 to the printer controller 110. The condition for this signal to be true is that the operation of each part of the printer is normal, such as when the temperature in the fixing device reaches a predetermined temperature, the recording paper does not remain in the printer, and the polygon mirror rotates at a predetermined speed. Is the case.

  Print signal / PRNT: A signal for instructing the start or continuation of the print operation and sent from the printer controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100.

  Top-of-page signal / TOP: This is a synchronization signal that is a reference for vertical scanning of an image. This signal is output from the printer control circuit 100 after a certain period of time after / PRNT is output from the printer controller 110.

  Line synchronization signal / LSYNC: This is a synchronization signal that serves as a reference for horizontal scanning of an image. Like / TOP, / PRNT is output from the printer controller 110 and then output from the printer control circuit 100 after a predetermined time.

  Video clock signal / VCLK: A synchronous clock for / VDOEN and / VDO, which will be described later, and is generated by the printer controller 110.

  Image enable signal / VDOEN: A signal for inputting the image signal / VDO output from the printer controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100. In synchronization with / VCLK, the printer control circuit 100 detects whether / VDOEN is true or false. If true, the printer control circuit 100 inputs the image signal / VDO, and if false, does not input the image signal / VDO.

  Image signal / VDO: Image data output from the printer controller 110, which outputs / VDO in synchronization with / VCLK, with / TOP for the vertical direction and / LSYNC for the horizontal direction as a reference. To do.

  Controller clock signal / CCLK: Command serially transferred from the printer controller 110 to the printer control circuit 100, and serial transfer from the printer control circuit 100 to the printer controller 110. Then, it is output from the printer controller 110 with the status synchronization clock.

  Command signal / CMD: A signal used when the printer controller 110 serially transfers information to the printer control circuit 100. This information is called a command.

  Command busy signal / CBSY: This signal indicates to the printer control circuit 100 that the printer controller 110 is serially transferring a command using / CMD.

  Status signal / STS: A signal used when the printer control circuit 100 serially transfers information to the printer controller 110. This information is called a status.

  Status busy / SBSY: This signal indicates to the printer controller 110 that the printer control circuit 100 is serially transferring the status using the / STS signal.

  Status change notification / CCRT: A signal for notifying the printer controller 110 that the internal status of the printer has changed. Upon receiving this signal, the printer controller 110 issues a command for inquiring what has changed on the printer engine 120 side using / CMD. In response, the printer control circuit 100 responds using / STS.

  / CCRT is true when a change occurs in the printer state designated in advance by the printer controller 110.

  In addition, there are signals such as speed change / SPCHG, paper delivery / PDLV, and paper leading edge / TOPR.

  Next, the timing of signals when using / CCRT will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of signal timing when / CCRT is used.

  For example, when “no paper” is generated from the printer controller 110 by / CMD, / CCRT is set to be true.

  In this case, for example, if there is only one recording sheet in the recording sheet cassette and the printer controller 110 requests printing for two sheets, the first sheet is printed without any problem. However, at the stage where image formation for the second sheet is started, the printer control circuit 100 detects a change in state, that is, “no paper”, and changes / CCRT from false to true as shown in FIG. .

  The printer controller 110 detects that / CCRT has become true. Immediately, in order to know which paper cassette is in the “no paper” state, as shown in FIG. 11, by setting / CBSY to be true / CMD, the recording paper of the paper cassette is supplied to the printer control circuit 100. Issue a command to request a status indicating the presence or absence of According to this command, the printer control circuit 100 sets / SBSY to true as shown in FIG. 11, and returns a status indicating the presence / absence of recording paper in the recording paper cassette by / STS.

  Note that / CCRT is cleared at the timing when / SBSY indicating status transfer becomes true and becomes false.

  Next, command / status exchange between the printer controller 110 and the printer control circuit 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of command / status exchange between the printer controller 110 and the printer control circuit 100, and is a diagram assuming the formation of a color image.

  When printing is instructed, the printer controller 110 performs image processing and sends a command to the printer control circuit 100 to check the ready state of the printer.

  Next, a command for designating the paper feed cassette is issued, and a command for requesting the size of the recording paper stored in the designated paper feed cassette is issued.

  Next, the printer controller 110 issues a command for designating a paper discharge port, and issues a page mode designation command for designating the number of pages on which an image is to be formed. Then, by issuing a command designating monochrome or color image formation, all designations are completed.

  In response to these series of commands, the printer control circuit 100 returns corresponding statuses.

  Thereafter, the printer controller 110 generates / PRNT, and in response to this, / TOP is returned from the printer control circuit 100 after a predetermined time.

  The / VDO, in which the vertical scanning is synchronized with / TOP and the horizontal scanning is synchronized with / LSYNC, is transferred to the printer control circuit 100 in synchronization with / VCLK.

  When the color mode is set, / TOP represents the start of each color component image, and when / TOP occurs four times, an image for four colors of CMYK is formed.

  Then, after the final / TOP occurs, the printer controller 110 returns / PRNT to false.

  As a result, the printer control circuit 100 detects that the print request has been completed, and proceeds to post-processing such as cleaning each part.

  On the other hand, the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing roller and is then discharged to a designated paper discharge port.

  Finally, the printer controller 110 confirms that the conveyance of the recording paper has been completed (end of discharge) based on the status from the printer control circuit 100.

  When the end of discharge is confirmed, the print job is completed, and the printer controller 110 stands by in a ready state until the next print request is generated.

  During the printing operation as described above, an illegal state occurs, such as recording paper jam or no paper, or a user opening the apparatus door. In this case, a printer abnormality is immediately transmitted from the printer control circuit 100 to the printer controller 110 by / CCRT.

  Then, the printer controller 110 knows the abnormality that has occurred due to the status returned in response to the command, and performs processing according to the abnormality.

  In the printer engine 120 as described above, particularly a printer engine that outputs a color image, the density or density balance of the output image gradually changes due to an increase in the number of output sheets or a change in the environment even if it is not a sudden change. .

  Similarly, the conditions relating to image formation, such as the color shift of the formed image and the phase shift of the developing drum, are always in an optimum state due to factors such as the replacement of the toner cartridge by the user, environmental changes, and changes over time. Is not limited.

  For this reason, by monitoring the presence / absence of cartridge replacement, the elapsed time, the number of output sheets, changes in the environment, and the like, adjustments are made so that these conditions relating to image formation become optimal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Hereinafter, a sequence for determining whether to perform these adjustments by the printer engine 120 and the printer controller 110 will be described by taking density control as an example.

  In the printer engine 120 capable of outputting a color image, particularly when forming a color image, an appropriate image cannot be output if the density balance of the color component YMCK used for image formation is lost.

  Factors that cause the density balance to be lost include an increase in the residual charge on the photoconductor due to repeated image formation, and changes in the humidity and density of the environment in which the device is installed. Disappear.

  Therefore, a change in some factors that break the density balance is detected, and control is performed to keep the density balance constant.

  A factor to be detected is detected by a CPU (not shown) installed in the printer control circuit 100. "Continuous still time in standby state" "Number of ejected recording sheets" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "integrated number") "Number of images formed on intermediate transfer member" (hereinafter referred to as "total number of images") )and so on. Furthermore, there are changes in temperature and humidity detected by the CPU of the printer control circuit 100 monitoring input from environmental sensors installed in the printer apparatus.

  Next, the necessity of density control by the printer control circuit 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control sequence relating to determination of necessity of density control by the printer control circuit 100, which is executed by the CPU of the printer control circuit 100 that constantly monitors changes in the detection target factor. .

  In step S161, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number / total number of images has reached a predetermined value that requires continuous density control in step S162. In step S163, it is determined whether changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity have reached a level that requires concentration control.

  If it is determined that density control is necessary, the printer control circuit 100 notifies the printer controller 110 of the necessity of density control using / CCRT or / STS (step S164).

Next, in step S165, the process waits for the printer controller 110 to instruct execution of density control. When the execution of density control is instructed, it immediately starts density control in step S166.
JP 2002-29092 A

  In general, there are a plurality of factors for determining the necessity of various adjustments, and adjustments are always necessary to satisfy the quality specifications of the output image. In order to further improve the quality of the output image, the factors may be divided into factors that require adjustment for the purpose of setting the optimum image forming conditions at that time.

  On the other hand, as in the above example, since the necessity of various adjustments is determined in the printer control circuit, the printer controller 110 cannot know what factors caused the adjustment.

  Therefore, when the necessity for adjustment is transmitted from the printer control circuit 100 to the printer controller 110 by the sequence as described above, the printer controller 110 always instructs execution of the requested adjustment.

  Generally, since these adjustment execution sequences take several tens of seconds to several minutes, the user cannot obtain a print output during that time.

  As a result, an unnecessary adjustment sequence is executed for a user who demands an image output speed or a response speed rather than an output image quality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. When a necessity for executing adjustment of the printer engine occurs, a factor status indicating the cause of the necessity for executing adjustment is notified. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of selecting whether or not to instruct adjustment execution at that time.

  The present invention has achieved the above object by the following technical configuration.

(1) An image forming apparatus that includes a controller that issues commands representing various instructions, a printer engine that executes image formation in accordance with commands issued by the controller, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine. Te that, the control means of the printer engine is determined that the necessity determination means for determining the necessity of density control based on the state of the apparatus, there is a need for the density control by said necessity determination means According to the density control execution request and factor information corresponding to the factor of the density control execution request is transmitted to the controller, and the controller is transmitted from the control unit. a density control execution request, the type of the factor information, based on, set as factors indicating the cause information to perform density control execution request in advance Without execution of the density control instructing the printer engine if not a factor that has been, the concentration control when factors indicating the cause information is a factor that has been set to advance the density control execution request the run have a, a command issue control means for instructing the printer engine, and a priority mode the image quality can be selected, when the mode is selected, the controller regardless of the factor information An image forming apparatus that issues an execution command for executing density control based on the density control execution request .
(2) An image forming apparatus including a controller that issues commands representing various instructions, a printer engine that executes image formation in accordance with commands issued by the controller, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine. The printer engine control means has determined that the necessity of density control is necessary by the necessity judgment means for judging the necessity of density control based on the internal state of the apparatus, and the necessity judgment means. According to the density control execution request and factor information corresponding to the factor of the density control execution request is transmitted to the controller, and the controller is transmitted from the control unit. Based on the density control execution request and the type of the factor information, the factor indicated by the factor information is set in advance to make the density control execution request. The density control is performed when the factor indicated by the factor information is a factor set in advance to make a density control execution request without instructing the printer engine to execute the density control when the factor is not a factor that has been set. And a command issuance control means for instructing the printer engine to execute the operation.

  That is, when notifying the controller of the necessity of adjustment from the engine, the factor determined to be necessary for adjustment, the factor determined to be necessary for adjustment, and the priority of the factor are notified as the engine status. Thus, the above-mentioned purpose has been achieved.

  According to the present invention, when the necessity for executing the adjustment of the printer engine occurs, the factor status indicating the cause of the necessity for executing the adjustment is notified. This makes it possible to select whether or not to instruct execution of adjustment at that time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG.

  Since the configuration of the first embodiment is almost the same as that of the conventional example, the configuration inside the apparatus of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A printer control circuit 100 is a control unit.

  The printer control circuit 100 includes a CPU (not shown) that is a necessity determination unit in the control unit 20.

  The necessity determination means is not limited to the CPU, and may be provided separately from the control unit 20 and the printer control circuit 100.

  A printer controller 110 is a controller.

  The printer controller 110 includes a CPU (not shown) that is a determination unit and an adjustment execution determination unit, and an adjustment unit (not shown).

  Note that the determination unit and the adjustment execution determination unit are not limited to the CPU, and may be provided separately from the printer controller 110.

  Further, adjustment means (not shown) may be provided separately from the printer controller 110.

  A printer engine 120 is an engine.

  FIG. 1 shows a concept of status regarding the necessity of adjustment execution among status information (hereinafter, status) of the printer engine 120 held in a storage device (not shown) such as a RAM in the printer control circuit 100. It is a figure.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control sequence related to determination and execution of the necessity of density control by the printer control circuit 100 of the image forming apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention. It is executed by a CPU (not shown) of the printer control circuit 100 that constantly monitors changes in the factors to be detected.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control sequence related to determination of the density control execution instruction by the printer controller 110, and is executed by the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110.

  Here, S30 is a status indicating which type of adjustment the printer engine 120 currently requires.

  S31 and S32 are factor statuses that indicate which factors determine the necessity of execution of density control or color misregistration measurement.

  Hereinafter, a control sequence related to determination and execution of the necessity of density control will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU (not shown) of the printer control circuit 100 first determines in step S261 whether density control has been executed after the printer is turned on, and if density control has never been executed. Since execution is necessary, the process proceeds to step S268.

  In step S262, it is determined whether the density control has been executed after the printer has returned from the sleep state to the normal standby state. If the density control has never been executed, the process needs to be executed, and the process proceeds to step S268. .

  In step S263, it is determined whether the total number / total number of images has reached a predetermined value that requires execution of density control. If it has reached, the process proceeds to step S268.

  In step S264, it is determined whether or not the continuous still time has reached a predetermined value that requires execution of density control, and if it has reached, the process proceeds to step S268.

  In step S265, it is determined whether changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity have reached a level that requires execution of density control. If so, the process proceeds to step S268.

  Further, in step S266, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number of images after installing a new cartridge has reached a predetermined value that requires execution of density control, and if so, the process proceeds to step S268.

  In step S267, it is determined whether or not the cartridge has been replaced. If the cartridge has been replaced, it is determined that density control has not been performed since the replacement and needs to be performed, and the process proceeds to step S268.

  If the cartridge has not been replaced in step S267, the process proceeds to step S261.

  If it is determined in any of these steps S261 to S267 that execution of density control is necessary, the process proceeds to step S268. In the density control execution request factor status S31 shown in FIG. 1, the bit corresponding to the factor requiring density control is set to true. In step S269, the printer controller 110 is notified of the necessity of density control using / CCRT or / STS.

Next, in step S270, execution of the density control from the printer controller 110 (adjustment execution command) Wait for the instruction, execution of the density control is instructed. Immediately thereafter, density control is started by an adjusting means (not shown) (step S271).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 determines in step S401 whether a notification indicating that execution of density control is necessary has been received. If the necessity of execution of the density control is notified, the process proceeds to step S402, and if not, the control sequence relating to the determination of the instruction to execute the density control is ended.

  In step S402, it is confirmed whether or not the current printer setting is a mode that prioritizes image quality.

  If the mode is set to give priority to the image quality, the process proceeds to step S405 regardless of the cause of the necessity of execution of density control. In step S405, a density control execution command (adjustment execution command) is always executed. ).

  It should be noted that the above-described mode setting giving priority to image quality can be arbitrarily set by the user through a printer setting panel, a host computer driver setting, or the like.

  If the image quality priority mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S403, where the printer control circuit 100 is requested to return the density control execution request factor status S31 and is received.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S404, and in step S404, it is determined whether or not the execution essential factor bit of the density control execution request factor status S31 is true.

  Then, if the execution essential factor bit of the density control execution request factor status S31 is true, the process proceeds to step S405, and if it is false, the control sequence relating to determination of the density control execution instruction is terminated.

That is, in step S403, the cause of the necessity of density control execution is acquired from the received density control execution request factor status S31. In step S404 , it is determined whether or not the execution of density control is essential at the present time in order to satisfy the quality specification of the output image.

  For example, there is a case where the specification is “when the cartridge is replaced, the printer engine cannot guarantee the image quality unless density control is executed”. If the 9th bit “CRG replacement density control execution request” of the density control execution request factor status S31 is true, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 determines that execution of density control is essential.

  In addition, when the specification is that it is desirable to execute density control when a certain period of time has passed, the 4th bit “density control execution request when a certain period of time has elapsed” in the density control execution request factor status S31 is true. However, there are times when it is not set to a mode that prioritizes image quality. At this time, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 determines that execution of density control is not necessary at the present time.

  Naturally, there may be cases where a plurality of bits of the density control execution request factor status S31 are true, but if any of them is a bit corresponding to a factor for which execution of density control is essential, execution of density control is performed. Is determined to be necessary.

If it is determined that it is necessary to perform density control in step S404, it transmits the concentration control execution instruction command (adjustment execution command) to the printer control circuit 100 at step S405.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is a case where the adjustment of the printer engine 120 needs to be performed. In that case, the CPU notifies the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 of factor statuses S31 and S32 that indicate what factors cause the necessity of the adjustment execution. As a result, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 selects whether or not to instruct the execution of adjustment at that time, that is, whether or not to adjust the image forming conditions or whether to request the execution of adjusting the image forming conditions. It becomes possible to do.

  As a result, for example, when the user has set the mode in which the quality of the output image is prioritized, the execution of adjustment is always instructed when the necessity of adjustment execution is notified. Otherwise, even if the necessity of adjustment execution is notified, the adjustment execution instruction is not performed unless it is essential. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which the user can set the execution frequency of adjustment while satisfying such minimum image quality.

  In this embodiment, the determination of the necessity of density control execution including density reproduction and the determination of the execution instruction of the image forming condition execution request have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to the color component balance of the color image, the measurement of the color misregistration amount (drum phase misalignment amount of each color of the color image, etc.), and other adjustments.

  In addition, the factors that explain the necessity of executing various adjustments, which factors make adjustment execution essential, and the like described in the present embodiment are merely examples in the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. However, this differs depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The mode giving priority to image quality in this embodiment is merely an example in this embodiment, and settings and execution regarding the execution quality of image quality and various adjustments performed by the user or the printer controller 110, the printer engine 120, and the like. Control is included.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which it is determined whether the adjustment of the image forming condition is executed or the adjustment of the image forming condition is executed from the status status S30 and the factor statuses S31 and S32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not the adjustment is performed only from the factor statuses S31 and S32.

  For example, this can be achieved by providing the printer controller 110 or the like with a table that associates the factor statuses S31 and S32 with the necessary adjustments in advance.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the factors for which various adjustments are determined to be necessary are stored as factor statuses S31 and S32, and the mode for determining whether or not the adjustment is necessary is determined based on the factors.

  In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a case in which priority statuses indicating the priorities of the respective factors are held for the factor statuses S31 and S32 of the factors determined to require various adjustments.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as a prior art example and 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control sequence related to determination and execution of the necessity of density control by the CPU (not shown) of the printer control circuit 100 of the image forming apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention. It differs from FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment in that step S272 is added.

  FIG. 5 shows a concept of status regarding necessity of adjustment execution among statuses of the printer engine 120 held in a storage device (not shown) such as RAM in the printer control circuit 100.

  S33 and S34 are priority statuses indicating priorities for the respective factors of the density control execution request factor status S31.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence related to determination of an instruction to execute density control by the printer controller 110.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a table showing a correspondence relationship between factors that require execution of density control and priority levels of the factors.

4, like the first embodiment, the step S261～S26 7 performs the need for determination of density control, density control execution request source status S31 shown in FIG. 5, on the factors become necessary density control Make the corresponding bit true.

  In step S272, the priority of the bit set true in step S268 is set (updated) in the priority status S33 (or S34) shown in FIG.

  At this time, the correspondence between the factors that require density control and the priority thereof is calculated from a table stored in a storage unit such as a ROM in the printer control circuit 100 as shown in FIG. There is something. Alternatively, it may be calculated by another sequence.

  Hereinafter, step S269 to step S271 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer controller 110 determines whether or not a notification indicating that the density control needs to be executed is received in step S401. If the necessity is notified, the process proceeds to step S403, and if not, the control sequence relating to the determination of the instruction to execute the density control is terminated.

  In step S403, the printer control circuit 100 is requested to return the density control execution request factor status S31, and is received.

  Subsequently, in step S406, in order to acquire the priority of the factor that is true in the factor status S31, the concentration control execution request factor priority status S33 (or S34) is requested and received.

  Here, it is assumed that the setting regarding the execution frequency of various adjustments is performed by the user in advance, for example, by setting the image quality.

  In step S407, this set value (predetermined value) is compared with the priority of the factor that required density control execution acquired in step S406. If the priority is higher than the set value (predetermined value), a density control execution instruction command (adjustment execution command) is transmitted in step S405.

  If the priority is lower than the set value (predetermined value) in step S407, the control sequence related to determining the instruction to execute density control is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, not only is the factor or factor information that is necessary to execute various adjustments reported as the status, but also the priority statuses S33 and S34 indicating the priority of each factor are reported. . As a result, the CPU (not shown) of the printer controller 110 can select whether or not to instruct execution of adjustment at that time. Then, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which the user can set the execution frequency of the adjustment step by step while satisfying the minimum image quality.

  In the present embodiment, the determination of the necessity of executing density control including density reproduction and the determination of the execution instruction have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to the color component balance of the color image, the measurement of the color misregistration amount (drum phase misalignment amount of each color of the color image, etc.), and other adjustments.

  Further, the factors causing the necessity of performing various adjustments described in the present embodiment, the priority of each factor, and the like are merely examples in the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto. This differs depending on the configuration of the applied image forming apparatus.

  The setting related to the execution frequency of various adjustments in this embodiment is merely an example in this embodiment. This includes settings related to image quality and frequency of various adjustments performed by the user or host computer, printer controller 110, printer engine 120, and the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not to adjust image forming conditions from the status status S30, the factor statuses S31 and S32, and the priority statuses S33 and S34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not the adjustment is performed only from the factor statuses S31 and S32 and the priority statuses S33 and S34.

  For example, this can be achieved by providing the printer controller 110 or the like with a table that associates the factor statuses S31 and S32 with the necessary adjustments in advance.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a status concept regarding the necessity of adjustment execution of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence related to determination and execution of the necessity of density control by the control circuit of the image forming apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence related to determination of an instruction to execute density control in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence related to determination and execution of the necessity of density control by a control circuit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a status concept regarding the necessity of adjustment execution in the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence related to determination of an instruction to execute density control in an image forming apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is an example of a table showing a correspondence relationship between factors that require execution of density control and priority levels of the factors in the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control mechanism of a printer that is an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the signal of a video interface. It is a figure which shows the detail of the signal of a video interface. It is a figure which shows the example of a signal timing in the case of using / CCRT. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of command / status exchange between a printer controller and a printer control circuit. It is a figure which shows the control sequence regarding judgment of the necessity of density control by the printer control circuit in a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

4 drive circuit 7 bias control means 20 control unit 54 printing means 81 notifying means 83 printing sequence control means 100 printer control circuit (control unit)
110 Printer controller (control unit)
120 Printer engine S30 Status status S31, S32 Factor status S33, S34 Priority status

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller that issues commands representing various instructions; a printer engine that executes image formation according to commands issued by the controller; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine,
The control means of the printer engine determines the necessity of density control based on the internal state of the apparatus, and when the necessity control means determines that the density control is necessary. And a transmission means for transmitting the concentration control execution request and factor information according to the factor of the concentration control execution request to the controller,
The controller, based on the density control execution request transmitted from the control means and the type of the factor information, the factor indicated by the factor information is not a factor set in advance to make the density control execution request In this case, if the factor indicated by the factor information is a factor set in advance to make a density control execution request without instructing the printer engine to execute the density control , the printer performs the density control. possess a command issue control means for instructing the engine, and
A mode that prioritizes image quality can be selected, and when the mode is selected, the controller issues an execution command for executing density control based on the density control execution request regardless of the factor information. An image forming apparatus that issues the image. An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller that issues commands representing various instructions; a printer engine that executes image formation according to commands issued by the controller; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine,
The control means of the printer engine determines the necessity of density control based on the internal state of the apparatus, and when the necessity control means determines that the density control is necessary. And a transmission means for transmitting the concentration control execution request and factor information according to the factor of the concentration control execution request to the controller,
The controller, based on the density control execution request transmitted from the control means and the type of the factor information, the factor indicated by the factor information is not a factor set in advance to make the density control execution request In this case, if the factor indicated by the factor information is a factor set in advance to make a density control execution request without instructing the printer engine to execute the density control , the printer performs the density control. an image forming apparatus comprising: the command issue control means for instructing the engine, the. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller that issues commands that express various instructions; a printer engine that executes image formation in accordance with commands issued by the controller; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine. There,
The necessity determination step of determining the necessity of density control based on the internal state of the apparatus by the control means of the printer engine, and in response to the determination of the necessity of the density control in the necessity determination step Transmitting a concentration control execution request and factor information corresponding to the factor of the concentration control execution request to the controller ;
By the controller, and the density control execution request transmitted in said transmitting step, on the basis of the type of cause information, the factors indicating the cause information is not a factor that has been set to perform density control execution request in advance In this case, if the factor indicated by the factor information is a factor set in advance to make a density control execution request without instructing the printer engine to execute the density control , the printer performs the density control. and Turkey command issue control step instructs the engine,
A mode that prioritizes image quality can be selected, and when the mode is selected, the controller issues an execution command for executing density control based on the density control execution request regardless of the factor information. the image forming method of an image forming apparatus, comprising: the step of issuing, the. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller that issues commands that express various instructions; a printer engine that executes image formation in accordance with commands issued by the controller; and a control unit that controls the operation of the printer engine. There,
The necessity determination step of determining the necessity of density control based on the internal state of the apparatus by the control means of the printer engine, and in response to the determination of the necessity of the density control in the necessity determination step Transmitting a concentration control execution request and factor information corresponding to the factor of the concentration control execution request to the controller ;
By the controller, and the density control execution request transmitted in said transmitting step, on the basis of the type of cause information, the factors indicating the cause information is not a factor that has been set to perform density control execution request in advance In this case, if the factor indicated by the factor information is a factor set in advance to make a density control execution request without instructing the printer engine to execute the density control , the printer performs the density control. the image forming method of an image forming apparatus comprising: the Turkish command issue control step instructs the engine, the.

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